Registration is now open for The Westport Library’s summer learning camps: Camp Explore and Summer Learning Clubs.
Camp Explore returns for its fifth year of free STEAM exploration, with workshops kicking off June 25 and running through late July. Among the courses offered this year are Coding LightLego with Josh Burker for kids entering grades 7-9 (June 25-27), Sculpture with Iyaba Ibo Mandingo for grades 6-8 (July 9-11), and Bats Langley's Impressionist Picnic also for grades 6-8 (July 23-25).
Summer Learning Clubs integrate math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach, with each class blending inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts. Taught by certified teachers, this program melds traditional academic activities into a Project Based Learning experience and student-driven study. The Library offers three sessions for kids entering first through eighth grades, with the majority of classes held Tuesday and Wednesday of each week: Three-hour classes for grades 1-2 and also for grades 3-5, and two-hour classes for middle schoolers.
Starting June 25 and running until August 14, the weekly sessions for 2024 include: plant science (June 25-26), collage and mosaic (July 1-2), poetry (July 9-10), environmental sciences (July 16-17), paper and print making (July 23-24), music (July 30-31), and edible science (August 6-7). For the week of August 13-14, grades 1-2 will focus on the Olympics, with grades 3-5 and middle schoolers covering story telling. There will also be a standalone class held August 19 on middle school organizational skills.
Saiba como escolher melhores cassinos online no Brasil em 2024 !
“Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are two of our most popular offerings,” said Youth Services Director Mary Parmelee. “They’re a great way to get kids active in the summer, keep their minds working and growing, and apply many of the concepts they’ve learned in school in a way that is both social and fun.”
In addition to Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs, the Children’s Library’s early literacy programming will continue to be offered throughout the summer. For details, visit the Children’s Library events page.
Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are brought to the Library by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
Higgins Room
Friday, July 21
4-5 pm
For children entering Grades 4-5
What is more fun than playing with Slime? Making your own Slime! Join us at the library for a fun-filled Summer Slime Lab! Glow in the dark, stretchy, or fluffy? You decide!
Matica Arts
*August 8: FREE public performance open to all before the workshops!
August 8-10: Workshops: Registration required
10--11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Matica Arts weaves joy, rowdiness, and athleticism through juggling, a really tall unicycle, sky-high tosses with a Chinese yo-yo, and some beautiful acro-dance with a devil stick! Workshop participants will challenge their dexterity and coordination with various circus props like juggling balls and stilts.
Heidi Kirchofer and Joel Melendez are co-founders of Matica Arts and Thrive Movement Studio. Heidi is a veteran performing and teaching artist and has traveled internationally training, collaborating, and performing. Joel is a gifted performer known for his unicycling, clowning, juggling, and improvisational and acrobatic skills. Joel is a “physical artist” who loves exploring the vast capabilities of the human body. As a physical artist, Heidi is inspired by the body’s endless movement combinations and in awe of its ability to create, work, and heal.
Camp Explore is made possible through the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
Microbit Makery!
Josh Burker
June 27-29
10:00-11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Learn physical computing with the fun and flexible Microbit. A series of programming projects will encourage you to interact with the hardware, communicate with your fellow workshop members, and get physical with your creations! No prior programming experience needed. A willingness to try things, debug, and have fun is helpful and welcome!
Josh Burker is the creative technology teacher at Marymount School Upper Middle Division in New York City. He has taught in both public and private schools for more than 20 years, working with Logo programming, robotics, fabrication, electronics, and art. He writes books, holds workshops for teachers, and consults on educational projects that he finds inclusive and disruptive. He is the author of The Invent to Learn Guide to Fun and The Invent to Learn Guide to More Fun, both of which inspire makers of all ages to explore the intersection of crafting and technology through whimsical, creative projects.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
African Mask Making
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo
July 10-12
10-11:30 am
Grades 5-6
Explore African culture and personal expression through mask making. Using recycled material and found objects, students will create individual masks. Recycled art will be discussed. Layered bit and pieces of cardboard will form the masks' different features. This workshop is an engaging way for children to learn about West African culture and the history of West African Mask Making.
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo is a painter poet, writer, actor, and playwright, arts collaborator, artist advocate, and arts educator. He came to the United States from his native country of Antigua as a young boy. Iyaba owes his love of the arts to his mother, a trained singer, and his grandparents, a tailor and seamstress who first introduced him to colors and patterns, paving a path to the many forms of expression he employs. Iyaba studied fine arts at Southern Connecticut State University. He teaches in and around the tri-state area as a master teaching artist. Iyaba currently resides in Bridgeport, where his art gallery — 9104 The Art House — serves as a workspace classroom and creative hub.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
Jewelry Making: Novel Necklaces
Sharon Cooper
July 25
10-11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Learn to create your own beautiful and unique designs! Skills include design and necklace layout (sizing, bead type), crimping, wrapping, and attaching closures. The Library will supply materials for each participant to create their own necklace.
Sharon Cooper has been creating beaded jewelry for nearly 10 years. It was while working at The Westport Library that she developed her passion for beading and design. On her lunch breaks, Sharon would often browse the extensive collection on jewelry making. From these books, and a one-hour class at a beading store, Sharon honed her skills and created Novel Necklaces.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
In this hands-on workshop, we will choose from a variety of LED light projects to make — wrist flashlights, light-up cards, firefly balls, tissue flowers, or something completely different!
Thursdays 4:30-6 pm
McCall Room #216
Limit 12 students
May 11: Grades K-1 — Register
May 18: Grades 2-3 — Register
May 25: Grades 4-6 — Register
This is a free program for those who attend. Due to the limited number of students, you will be charged $25 upon registration. Your deposit will be refunded less credit card processing fees upon attendance or notification of inability to attend sent to [email protected] a week in advance AND we can fill your spot.
Registration is NOT transferable. A caregiver must remain in the Library during class.
Questions? Contact Margaret Pastel at [email protected].
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
This year's Summer Learning Clubs integrates math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach for an extended period. Each class will blend inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts with a focus on math, science and revision, testing, and technology, as students create a physical representation of their learning. This longer one-day program will seamlessly blend our traditional activities into a Project Based Learning experience and student-driven study.
Using a Project Based Learning model, students will work together to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and interdisciplinary. Following this format, learners will decide how to approach a problem and what activities to pursue in their unique approaches. They gather information from various sources and plan, synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it. Their learning is inherently valuable because it connects to something real and organic and promotes essential skills such as collaboration, revision, and reflection. In a culminating activity, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and communicate this with others.
REGISTER for Week 1 - Architecture: Imagine, Design, Build (June 26) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 2 - Inventions: Solve a Problem (July 10) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 3 - Making Music (July 17) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 4 - Outer Space: the Next Frontier (July 24) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 5 - People who Changed the World (July 31) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 6 - Flight and its Many Forms (August 7) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 7 - Tell Your Story: Create a Graphic Novel (August 14) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 8 - Code Making Code Breaking (August 21) HERE.
The Summer Learning Clubs are made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
This year's Summer Learning Clubs integrates math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach for an extended period. Each class will blend inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts with a focus on math, science and revision, testing, and technology, as students create a physical representation of their learning. This longer one-day program will seamlessly blend our traditional activities into a Project Based Learning experience and student-driven study.
Using a Project Based Learning model, students will work together to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and interdisciplinary. Following this format, learners will decide how to approach a problem and what activities to pursue in their unique approaches. They gather information from various sources and plan, synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it. Their learning is inherently valuable because it connects to something real and organic and promotes essential skills such as collaboration, revision, and reflection. In a culminating activity, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and communicate this with others.
REGISTER for Week 1 - Architecture: Imagine, Design, Build (June 26) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 2 - Inventions: Solve a Problem (July 10) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 3 - Making Music (July 17) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 4 - Outer Space: The Next Frontier (July 24) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 5 - People who Changed the World (July 31) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 6 - Flight and its Many Forms(August 7) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 7 - Tell Your Story: Create a Graphic Novel (August 14) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 8 - Code Making Code Breaking (August 21) HERE.
The Summer Learning Clubs are made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
Summer Learning Clubs integrate math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach for an extended period. Each week this complete immersive experience will cover a different topic over two days. Tuesdays center around a blend of inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts. The Wednesday class builds on the deep work from Tuesday, and focuses on math, science and revision, testing, and technology, with students creating a physical representation of their learning.
Using a Project Based Learning model, students will work together to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and interdisciplinary. Following this format, learners will decide how to approach a problem and what activities to pursue in their unique approaches. They gather information from various sources and plan, synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it. Their learning is inherently valuable because it connects to something real and organic and promotes essential skills such as collaboration, revision, and reflection. In a culminating activity, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and communicate this with others. Throughout this process, the teacher's role is to guide and advise rather than direct and manage the student's work.
There will be a short movement and snack break.
REGISTER for Week 1- Architecture: Imagine, Design, Build (June 27 and June 28) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 2 - Olympics: Let the Games Begin! (July 11 and July 12) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 3 - Making Music (July 18 and July 19) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 4 - Outer Space: the Next Frontier (July 25 and July 26) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 5 - People who Changed the World (August 1 and August 2) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 6 - Flight and its Many Forms (August 8 and August 9) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 7 - Tell Your Story: Create a Picture Book (August 15 and August 16) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 8 - Code Making Code Breaking (August 22 and August 23) HERE.
The Summer Learning Clubs are made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
Summer Learning Clubs integrate math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach for an extended period. Each week, this complete immersive experience will cover a different topic over two days. Tuesdays center around a blend of inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts. The Wednesday class builds on the deep work from Tuesday, and focuses on math, science and revision, testing and technology, with students creating a physical representation of their learning.
Using a Project Based Learning model, students will work together to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and interdisciplinary. Following this format, learners will decide how to approach a problem and what activities to pursue in their unique approaches. They gather information from various sources and plan, synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it. Their learning is inherently valuable because it connects to something real and organic and promotes essential skills such as collaboration, revision, and reflection. In a culminating activity, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and communicate this with others. Throughout this process, the teacher's role is to guide and advise rather than direct and manage the student's work.
There will be a short movement and snack break.
REGISTER for Week 1 - Architecture: Imagine, Design, Build (June 27 and June 28) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 2 - Olympics: Let the Games Begin! (July 11 and July 12) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 3 - Making Music (July 18 and July 19) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 4 - Outer Space: The Next Frontier (July 25 and July 26) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 5 - People Who Changed the World (August 1 and August 2) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 6 - Flight and Its Many Forms (August 8 and August 9) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 7 - Tell Your Story: Create a Picture Book (August 15 and August 16) HERE.
REGISTER for Week 8 - Code Making, Code Breaking (August 22 and August 23) HERE.
The Summer Learning Clubs are made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
Summer Learning Clubs incorporate a Project Based Learning model that integrates all of our math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach for an extended period. Each week this complete immersive experience will cover a different topic over 2 days. Tuesdays center around a blend of inquiry, design, research, writing and the arts. The Wednesday class builds on the deep work from Tuesday, and focuses on math, science and revision, testing and technology, with students creating a physical representation of their learning.
Using a Project Based Learning model, students will work together to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and interdisciplinary. Following this format, learners will decide how to approach a problem and what activities to pursue in their unique approaches. They gather information from various sources and plan, synthesize, analyze, and derive knowledge from it. Their learning is inherently valuable because it connects to something real and organic and promotes essential skills such as collaboration, revision, and reflection. In a culminating activity, students will demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and communicate this with others. Throughout this process, the teacher's role is to guide and advise rather than direct and manage the student's work.
There will be a short movement and snack break.
REGISTER for Week One - Architecture: Imagine, Design, Build (June 26 and 27) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Two - Olympics: Let the Games Begin! (July 11 and 12) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Three - Making Music (July 18 and 19) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Four - Outer Space: the Next Frontier (July 25 and 26) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Five - People who Changed the World (August 1 and 2) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Six - Flight and its Many Forms (August 8 and 9) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Seven - Tell Your Story: Create a Picture Book (August 15 and 16) HERE.
REGISTER for Week Eight - Code Making Code Breaking (August 22 and 23) HERE.
The Summer Learning Clubs are made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
